Old affinities set aside for reunion as Brora Rangers head to Nairn County
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STEVEN Mackay admits it could be a strange and emotional experience squaring up to former club Brora Rangers tomorrow – but only once the dust has settled.
There will be no quarter given and none asked as the newly-appointed Nairn County manager tries to plot a shock win over the club that became such a huge part of his life and career in football.
Throw in the fact that Mackay and his Dudgeon Park successor Craig Campbell are boyhood pals, then there is sure to be a tug at the heartstrings for the 41-year-old.
Not only did Mackay win back-to-back league titles and five cup trophies as Brora player and record goalscorer, he secured two more championships and a North of Scotland Cup as manager, albeit in Covid-disrupted seasons.
Campbell served as his assistant and the pair’s knowledge of each other’s outlook and approach, as well as Mackay’s thorough knowledge of the opposition, will add an intriguing undercurrent to the clash at Station Park.
“Football, from time to time, throws up these strange scenarios, where past team-mates or colleagues end up on opposite sides of the fence,” Mackay reflected.
“I think it is clear the fondness and affiliation I have for Brora and that’s never going to go away. I loved my years there and will always have a lot of admiration for the club and the people within it.
“That period was a phenomenal part of my career, both playing and managing, so it is a strange one going up against them.
“From a management perspective, this will be the first time so that will be strange. And it will be strange going up against Cammy.
“But he’s as competitive as I am and that’s all going to be forgotten about for 90 minutes.
“He’ll want to beat me and I’ll want to beat him -– that’s just the way we both are and that’s the way it should be.
“History aside, I’ll always have fond memories of Brora but for that 90 minutes it will be put in the shade.”
Mackay saw his new charges lose a 2–0 lead against Inverurie Locos, eventually drawing the match, before losing 3–1 to Huntly at the weekend. He has his work cut out after Nairn’s winless run this season and drop to second bottom place, but a clear plan on where they can go and improve.
Similarly, Mackay saw huge positives in Campbell taking the reins at Brora.
“He’s done a great job,” Mackay said.
“I was delighted when the club had the confidence to give Cammy the role because he was certainly best-placed to take over.
“He’s done a fantastic job since in taking the team forward from a difficult spell and in a difficult, highly competitive league.
“The more knowledge you have on a team is always going to help you, but it won’t disguise how strong they are. I well know their capabilities and strengths. Our season won’t be defined by results against Brora, it will be defined by results against teams around us.”
